40 x 25 Cans

Everyone is hungry at some point each day, but far too many go hungry because they cannot access nutritional food on a daily basis. For the sixth consecutive year, PWL Partnership and the Vancouver Convention Centre teamed up and contributed 1,000 cans of Amy’s Organic Chili and Soups to the Vancouver Food Bank as part of Canstruction 2016. The goal of this campaign is to shed light on hunger issues in Metro Vancouver and place food in the hands of those who need it most.

#PWL40

40 x 25 Cans

Powell Place Expansion

Vancouver, British Columbia
2014-Present

A previously under-utilized 30×70 outdoor courtyard at 331-333 Powell Street, shared by Powell Place Women’s Shelter, Santiago Lodge, and May’s Place hospice, is set to be dramatically improved summer 2015 with the addition of a new garden – a regenerative space that is interactive and welcoming to all. Building this new garden will coincide with the completion of the expansion to Powell Place Women’s Shelter, currently underway. The project is receiving generous support from Hockey Helps the Homeless and The Garden Club of Vancouver, while PWL is overseeing the development of the garden project, pro bono.

Powell Place Expansion

A previously under-utilized 30×70 outdoor courtyard at 331-333 Powell Street, shared by Powell Place Women’s Shelter, Santiago Lodge, and May’s Place hospice, is set to be dramatically improved summer 2015 with the addition of a new garden.

Hastings Mill Park

Vancouver, British Columbia
2014-2016

Located in the existing Hastings Mill Park, the new Hastings Mill Park Playground will replace the existing one that is nearing the end of its life cycle. The design of the new playground is inspired by the Hastings Mill Store Museum which is located in the park, and Vancouver’s early pioneer logging history. Materials such as logs and timber recall Vancouver’s logging history, while more traditional playground favourites such as swings and net climbers provide fun and challenge.

Hastings Mill Park

Located in the existing Hastings Mill Park, the new Hastings Mill Park Playground will replace the existing one that is nearing the end of its life cycle.

River District Town Square Plaza

Vancouver, British Columbia
2014-Present

The River District Town Square is intended to a be an active neighbourhood commercial node that becomes a destination and gathering place for the
community and visitors. The skewed plaza form reflects the irregular and working forms that were historically found on the Fraser River and on this site. The plaza offers flexible spaces that work together as one large space or separately as individual unique areas working more closely with the retail edges and uses. Planting and paving patterns reflect the vegetated islands on the river and the log boom patterns that are distinct to the Fraser River and a working river environment.

River District Town Square Plaza

The River District Town Square is intended to a be an active neighbourhood commercial node that becomes a destination and gathering place for the
community and visitors.

Richmond Oval Plaza + Urban Beach

Richmond, British Columbia
2014-2015

PWL provided landscape architectural services from concept design through to construction for the multipurpose beach, boardwalk, and play areas that support the programs and events offered at the Richmond Olympic Oval. The design took cues from the existing site context, and the new urban beach blends seamlessly with its surroundings, connecting the upper Oval plaza to the Middle Arm Dyke Trail and the Fraser River Foreshore. Native dune grasses and pollinator perennials were selected to for their ability to support local wildlife and to further connect the Oval and beach to their location along the Fraser River.

Richmond Oval Plaza + Urban Beach

PWL provided landscape architectural services from concept design through to construction for the multipurpose beach, boardwalk, and play areas that support the programs and events offered at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

UBC Nest Site Plan + Rooftop Garden

Vancouver, British Columbia
2010-2015

The UBC Nest is a student-centred hub of activity, creating a welcoming space for students to eat, shop, study, and socialize while leading the way in sustainability practices and goals. The rooftop design of UBC’s Nest is a reflection of the historical UBC knoll through its forms, integration of passive and active spaces and is an outdoor extension of the project program to provide a wide variety of spaces for student activity. The rooftop ‘knoll’ includes a thriving urban agriculture area operated by a student group that supplies produce to the businesses on campus. Custom furniture including a large social bench and tables to facilitate student life are set within planters and an open area that can accept event furniture layouts.

UBC Nest Site Plan + Rooftop Garden

The UBC Nest is a student-centred hub of activity, creating a welcoming space for students to eat, shop, study, and socialize while leading the way in sustainability practices and goals.

SFU Observatory

Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, British Columbia
2013-2015

PWL Partnership was hired by Simon Fraser University Facilities Services as the prime consultant for the design and development of the SFU astronomical observatory and plaza at the Burnaby Mountain campus. The new observatory will house a telescope that the public can use to view galaxies billions of light years away. Electrical outlets will be provided to allow visitors to set up their own telescopes.

Adjacent to the new structure will be a modern interpretation of an ancient observatory – an earth mound dissected by walls that carefully control the view of the sky, highlighting the movement or celestial objects. Planting is arranged in patterns which represent the orbit of planets about the sun. The viewing plaza will feature a long seating plinth which will glow at night with lit coloured bands that reference elemental emission spectra. In reference to the magnitude of distances involved in the study of astronomy, metal bands set in paving will provide a graphic representation of the powers of ten.

SFU Observatory

PWL Partnership was hired by Simon Fraser University Facilities Services as the prime consultant for the design and development of the SFU astronomical observatory and plaza at the Burnaby Mountain campus.

Glen Park

Coquitlam, British Columbia
2012-2014

Glen Park is a neighbourhood park located on the east side of the Coquitlam City Centre. The project focused on the design and installation of a plaza area or ‘outdoor living room’ along the eastern portion of the site which includes a playground for tots, custom seating elements, a custom pergola, and an array of seasonal planting. Also included in the scope of work was the thinning of a large existing wooded area to create a safe area for the installation of walking trails and a dog park.

Glen Park

Glen Park is a neighbourhood park located on the east side of the Coquitlam City Centre.

Hawker's Wharf

North Vancouver, British Columbia
2014-Present

PWL is leading the master planning and design of Hawker's Wharf, an innovative concept for a Food Hub destination as part of the Harbourside community in North Vancouver. It will provide vending spaces for incubator businesses, commissary area, a demonstration garden, entertainment and dining venues. The built environment will be constructed with shipping containers, like Box Park in London combined with garden allotments for local food production, outdoor stage and communal dining facilities. Hawker's Wharf will be part of a new array of waterfront destinations along the City’s Waterfront linked by the Spirit Trail.

Hawker's Wharf

PWL is leading the master planning and design of Hawker's Wharf, an innovative concept for a Food Hub destination as part of the Harbourside community in North Vancouver.

Habitat for Humanity

Richmond, British Columbia
2014-Present

PWL Partnership is honoured to partner with Habitat for Humanity to create a special community project within the City of Richmond. This project is so important for the families that will live here, grow here, and connect here. The shared community living concept embedded in this project will benefit both the individual families and also the Richmond community at large. While providing residents with opportunities to grow their own food and connect to the land, it will also blend in with the existing neighbourhood and enhance the public realm. At the heart of this project is a community garden and communal space where residents can meet, socialize, grow food, rest, and where children can play. Gardening and growing food helps facilitate community connections and has proven to be highly therapeutic and rewarding. PWL Partnership is a strong supporter of this concept of housing and development and the benefits it provides to families, the environment and the larger community.

Habitat for Humanity

PWL Partnership is honoured to partner with Habitat for Humanity to create a special community project within the City of Richmond.

Atira Women's Resource Centre

Vancouver, British Columbia
2014-Present

More information coming soon!

Atira Women's Resource Centre

More information coming soon!

Guildford Aquatic Centre

Surrey, British Columbia
2012-2015

The Guildford Recreation Centre landscape design utilizes creative and dynamic approaches to visible on-site storm water management. All site runoff
is diverted into two storm water retention basins in prominent locations. Engineered earth walls that are densley planted address the significant grade change
from the street to the building entry. The entry sequence gives the impression that the landscape is moving outward from the building in response to its mass. Low grow local wild grass seed mix is utilized throughout the site in order to reduce longterm irrigation and maintenance costs.

Guildford Aquatic Centre

New Water

Vancouver, British Columbia
2010-2013

PWL provided full design services for Polygon Homes' New Water Apartments. Located at East Fraserlands in South Vancouver, the landscape design is clean
and modern, with key elements including natural play areas featuring water timber piping evocative of the rich industrial history of the site. The planting design features a rich texture of edible species including herb borders, espaliered fruit trees and berry bushes. Community garden plots allow residents to plant vegetables. Site amenities are integral to the project, with paths and pedestrian mews creating comfortable linkages to the surrounding community.

New Water

PWL provided full design services for Polygon Homes' New Water Apartments.

Ronald McDonald House BC

Vancouver, British Columbia
2010-2014

The Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver is a home-away-from-home for families of ill children receiving treatment at the BC Children's Hospital. PWL was involved in the implementation of the landscape, from design through to construction, and happily provided pro bono design services. The new house accommodates 73 families and includes a number of common indoor and outdoor facilities. The project features a garden experience that reinforces play and healing, an innovative wood structure, and is expected to gain LEED Gold Plus Certification.

Ronald McDonald House BC

The Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver is a home-away-from-home for families of ill children receiving treatment at the BC Children's Hospital.

Wall Centre False Creek

Vancouver, British Columbia
2010-2013

The Wall Centre False Creek residential development is located in the South East False Creek neighborhood of Vancouver, British Columbia. The landscape design
and elements reflect the historical shipyard realm that once occupied the site. This is reflected in the nautical themed layout of the central courtyard in the shape of a ships hull. Within this courtyard is a water feature and whimsical seating. Opportunities for urban agriculture have also been provided in the form of planters and planting areas at street level and on the upper common area levels.

Wall Centre False Creek

The Wall Centre False Creek residential development is located in the South East False Creek neighborhood of Vancouver, British Columbia.

French Quarter Parklet

Vancouver, British Columbia
2013-2014

The French Quarter Parklet is the first parklet built under the new City of Vancouver Pilot Parklet program. PWL Partnership provided design services pro bono and facilitated the community project, bringing together designers, artists, and residents from the neighbourhood. The new public space spans two parking stalls and bridges the boulevard to the sidewalk. Features include custom-dipped triangular benches and native plantings. The parklet was installed in May 2014 and is an example of the endless possibilities of increasing access to public space and engaging the community in rethinking the role our streets play in the public realm.

French Quarter Parklet

The French Quarter Parklet is the first parklet built under the new City of Vancouver Pilot Parklet program.

Taylor Plaza at UBC Botanical Gardens

Vancouver, British Columbia
2013-Present

The Taylor Plaza is a donor funded learning space which recalls and celebrates the commitment to gardens and education shown by Roy Lewis Taylor who served as Director of the UBC Botanical Garden from 1968 to 1985. The plaza will provide a multi-functional covered gathering place for teaching and socializing to meet the needs of the UBC Botanical Garden, students, and the public. Features of the resulting elegant design include a chalkboard incorporated into the face of a landscape wall, and niches for displaying student work, interpretive material or art. In keeping with the Garden’s commitment to sustainable practices, permeable paving and a rain garden ensure storm water will be infiltrated on site. PWL provided pro bono design services and facilitated a student charette early in the process to engage students in the design of the plaza.

Taylor Plaza at UBC Botanical Gardens

The Taylor Plaza is to be an outdoor learning space that recalls and celebrates the commitment to gardens and education shown by Roy Lewis Taylor who served as Director for the UBC Botanical Garden from 1968 to 1985.

Vancouver Technical Secondary School

Vancouver, British Columbia
2011-2013

A 3-story building, unsuitable for seismic upgrades, was demolished creating an opportunity to make an outdoor room for students and staff. The grade change allowed us to develop a curvy amphitheater that could support large school events as well as more intimate groups of students during the day. Naturalized meadow, rain gardens, and shade producing trees surround the fully accessible site. Over ½ an acre (2,000M2) is dedicated to urban agriculture that is managed by an organized group. This is an excellent fit with the existing student agriculture gardens adjacent to the site.

Vancouver Technical Secondary School

A 3-story building, unsuitable for seismic upgrades, was demolished creating an opportunity to make an outdoor room for students and staff.

UBC East Neighbourhood Park

Vancouver, British Columbia
2010-2013

The existing site for the East Neighbourhood Park is a unique and ecologically valuable stand of mature, coniferous trees, located within UBC’s well-established East Neighbourhood community. The design for the park sets out to preserve and enhance the site’s existing forest character and build on the neighbourhood’s sense of community through preservation of existing trees, improvement of bird habitat, as well as the use of local, recycled, and natural materials. The park includes a bird nest inspired playground, a BBQ picnic area, exercise equipment constructed from wood and stone, and boardwalks through the wetland area.

UBC East Neighbourhood Park

The existing site for the East Neighbourhood Park is a unique and ecologically valuable stand of mature, coniferous trees, located within UBC’s well-established East Neighbourhood community.

Cedar Springs Independent Living

North Vancouver, British Columbia
2008-2012

Cedar Springs is a senior's independent living residence set in the Mount Seymour area of North Vancouver. The landscape responds to the active lifestyle of the residents by providing a putting green, outdoor terrace, greenhouse, walking path and four season garden. Special attention was given to the first nations public art and the native planting that was incorporated around this piece to ensure that it fit seamlessly in the overall landscape. Rain gardens within the native planting successfully disperse a large volume of the yearly rainfall.

Cedar Springs Independent Living

Cedar Springs is a senior's independent living residence set in the Mount Seymour area of North Vancouver.

Kiwanis Garden Village

North Vancouver, British Columbia
2010-2014

At Kiwanis Garden Village, the landscape not only provides a green setting for two new buildings, it also bridges the gap between new and exciting phases of development. A terraced community garden is the heart of the project and features garden plots designed for use by seniors, including a wheelchair accessible planter. The landscape incorporates sustainable measures such as permeable pavers, a rain garden and the use of durable and re-usable materials. Efficient irrigation and drought tolerant plants ensures that water use is kept to a minimum.

Kiwanis Garden Village

At Kiwanis Garden Village, the landscape not only provides a green setting for two new buildings, it also bridges the gap between new and exciting phases of development.

Concord Gardens

Richmond, British Columbia
2010-Present

PWL Partnership lead the public realm design and master planning for Concord Gardens in Richmond. The plan incorporates the principles of Feng Shui by creating a public realm and park system with a 'borrowed landscape' character that reflects the natural alluvial landscape of Richmond. An Asian inspired garden is created through a series of islands featuring contemporary pavilions that are reinterpretations of traditional tea houses. Water connects varying scales of public and semi-private outdoor spaces through tranquil reflecting pools, cascading waterfalls, and meandering streams.

Concord Gardens

PWL Partnership lead the public realm design and master planning for Concord Gardens in Richmond.

Nak'albun School

Fort St. James, British Columbia
2010-2014

Located in Fort St. James overlooking picturesque Stuart Lake, Nak’albun Elementary is envisioned as becoming not only a premier school, but also a place for the Nak’azdli First Nations community to congregate. Truly a community-based project, that engaged local artists, trades people and students, PWL worked closely with the community and consultants to create a site-specific design response. Play areas were situated to take advantage of the surrounding natural scenic landscape. A swale constructed with locally sourced stone wraps around the north side of the school capturing and slowing snowmelt in the spring before it is diverted down the embankment and ultimately to Stuart Lake.

Nak'albun School

Located in Fort St. James overlooking picturesque Stuart Lake, Nak’albun Elementary is envisioned as becoming not only a premier school, but also a place for the Nak’azdli First Nations community to congregate.

House of Fairytales Competition

Denmark, United Kingdom
2013

PWL Partnership’s design proposes planting a Fairytale Forest of 156 trees, making every story he wrote tangible. In order to establish Andersen’s birthplace house as the focal point of the site and to accommodate the forest, the new museum is placed almost entirely underground. The strong interconnection between the forest above and the museum below creates a landscape of wonderment and provides a unique green space for Odense. A new courtyard is located at the northeast corner of the site, and exhibits about the poet’s life are interspersed throughout the site within a number of capsules. At the southwest corner of the site, a plaza and a three-story pavilion provide a balanced height transition to the future buildings to the south and bring animation to the pedestrian oriented forest.

House of Fairytales Competition

A new Hans Christian Andersen House of Fairytales with a fairytale garden will be a must-see attraction of international standing where both architecture and content are clearly rooted in fairytales and the history of the site.

East Fraserlands Neighbourhood Park North

Vancouver, British Columbia
2010-2012

Neighbourhood Park North is a park space developed as a part of Phase II of the East Fraserlands development. The park is comprised of three distinct terraces accessible from two streets and the adjoining residential neighborhood. Despite the steepness of the slope, the park incorporates a wide range of program elements such as a climbing wall, play ground, seating areas, harvest table and vine trellis, urban agriculture plantings, heritage features and a picnic lawn. The challenges of the site’s grading led to a unique public park design that is richly detailed and carefully integrated into the adjoining development.

East Fraserlands Neighbourhood Park North

Neighbourhood Park North is a park space developed as a part of Phase II of the East Fraserlands development.

York House School

Vancouver, British Columbia
2010-2013

The landscape draws inspiration from the Pacific Northwest palette to provide continuity for this multiple building educational complex. Stone walls along
the property line have breaks that allow views into the school site, signalling the school’s connection to the larger community. Social interaction is promoted
by a generously scaled community table at the entry courtyard large enough for community gatherings or outdoor classes. A native shade garden provides students with an opportunity to study indigenous plant material.

York House School

The landscape draws inspiration from the Pacific Northwest palette to provide continuity for this multiple building educational complex.

Back to the River Competition

London, Ontario
2015

PWL's vision is based on the understanding of the Thames River as a dynamic ecological and hydrological system. The approach to 'Open the Bank' aims to address three goals: to envision an armature of quality open spaces and green infrastructure along the Thames river; to embrace the dynamics of the river while providing habitat restoration and resilient flood protection; and to identify and integrate new opportunities for urban interventions and new civic programs. Our design strategies intend to fully embrace dynamic socio-economic conditions with permanent solutions and transitional uses to accommodate shifting future needs.

Back to the River Competition

"Fostering new connections between London's heritage is what’s needed to aspire greatness and breath new and sustained life into a river and its people."

Sage at UBC

Vancouver, British Columbia
2007–2012

Set at the edge of Pacific Spirit Park in Wesbrook Village, the University of British Columbia’s newest neighbourhood, Sage’s landscape is sympathetic to the ordered geometry of the adjacent residential tower and townhouses. The four season planting softens the clean lines of the plant beds, permeable walkways and water feature. Although this entire project is built on the parking garage roof the urban garden seamlessly ties the overall site to its surroundings blurring
the line between built form and natural environment.

Sage at UBC

Set at the edge of Pacific Spirit Park in Wesbrook Village, the University of British Columbia’s newest neighbourhood, Sage’s landscape is sympathetic to the ordered geometry of the adjacent residential tower and townhouses.

Housing for Young Adults with Disabilities

North Vancouver, British Columbia
2009-2013

PWL donated services to this terrific project in North Vancouver; Housing for Young Adults with Disabilities (HYAD) in partnership with VIA Architecture and
Terra Housing. HYAD is a non-profit society formed by parents of disabled youth for the purpose of providing semi-independent living for their kids. The parents started planning in 2005 and through extensive collaboration with government, the School Board, and BC Housing, funded a facility that will allow their now young adult children to be productive and active members of the community. PWL Partnership prepared conceptual plans, construction drawings and performed field reviews. Going beyond our typical project scope, we also installed plant material and held gardening workshops with parents and residents.

Housing for Young Adults with Disabilities

PWL donated services to this terrific project in North Vancouver; Housing for Young Adults with Disabilities (HYAD) in partnership with VIA Architecture and
Terra Housing.

Triangle Park at Southeast False Creek

Vancouver, British Columbia
2009-2011

Triangle Park is a unique parklet located along the waterfront of Southeast False Creek. PWL led the conceptual design and implementation, developing a unique form approach for the park inspired by the gentle waves and winds along the False Creek Shoreline. The park consists of a sculptural arbor, designed in collaboration with Nick Milkovich Architects, that creates a wave-like canopy over the space. PWL also created a series of custom designed wave walls that incorporate unique seating opportunities, and become illuminated at night. The park elements are incorporated into a grass knoll that provides a soft area of respite along the industrially inspired shoreline.

Triangle Park at Southeast False Creek

Triangle Park is a unique parklet located along the waterfront of Southeast False Creek.

Campbell River Streetscape

Campbell River, British Columbia
2012-2014

The City of Campbell River began the process of revitalizing their downtown core by re-envisioning several key streets and lane ways that have been redeveloped as vibrant and uniquely contextual streetscapes. The design and implementation of the streets, which involved a public engagement and
stakeholder process, has created an entirely new character for several key blocks in the downtown core that are in-part subject to major redevelopment. The redesigned streetscapes include new multi-purpose and flexible plaza spaces that accommodate improved pedestrian and cycling amenities and sustainable features such as rain gardens.

Campbell River Streetscape

The City of Campbell River began the process of revitalizing their downtown core by re-envisioning several key streets and lane ways that have been redeveloped as vibrant and uniquely contextual streetscapes.

UBC Totem Park Student Housing

Vancouver, BC
2009-2011

The original UBC Totem Park design was prepared in 1964 by Lawrence Halprin & Associates working with local landscape architect John Lantzius. Only two buildings were originally proposed – a separate men’s and a separate women’s residence. Brick walls and gates delineated the women’s building, which is now the Dene/Nootka residence, from the rest of Totem Park. An outdoor social space, to be shared by the two residences, was built outside the men’s residence, which is now called the Salish/Haida residence. Over time four new residences and one common dining facility were added resulting in fragmentation of the landscape. The 2012 master plan prepared by PWL builds on the strengths of the original Halprin/Lantzius plan and works with the theme of connections. This is achieved through: visually and physically connecting the residences to the central pedestrian walkways; improving connections to the campus across Totem Park; providing opportunities for social connections with the development of a new outdoor social heart; and by initiating a regenerative forest program that strengthens the connection of Totem Park to surrounding forested and natural areas.

UBC Totem Park Student Housing

The 2012 master plan prepared by PWL builds on the strengths of the original Halprin/Lantzius plan and works with the theme of connections.

Lions Gate Public Realm Strategy

North Vancouver, British Columbia
2013-2015

PWL Partnership developed a set of public realm design guidelines that will help the District create a sense of place that is unique within all of the other North Vancouver town centres. The Capilano River, a key element of the resident's sense of identity, was an over arching design metaphor that informed every aspect of the design. Street tree character provides a sense of arrival in the neighbourhood through forest-like groupings of various species along the streets and adjacent development parcels conveying a sense of being in the forest while the street side planters reflect a river’s edge and provide a comfortable buffer from vehicle traffic.

Lions Gate Public Realm Strategy

PWL Partnership developed a set of public realm design guidelines that will help the District create a sense of place that is unique within all of the other North Vancouver town centres.

Honour House

New Westminster, British Columbia
2010-2011

Honour House Society is a charity devoted to providing free interim accommodation to the families of Canadian Forces and emergency service workers (such as fire, ambulance, and law enforcement services) who are receiving medical care in Metro Vancouver. PWL is proud to have offered pro-bono design and implementation services for the children’s play area and surrounding landscape. PWL helped to coordinate the donation of playground equipment and building materials and also designed and built the fence at the front of the building.

Honour House

Honour House Society is a charity devoted to providing free interim accommodation to the families of Canadian Forces and emergency service workers (such as fire, ambulance, and law enforcement services) who are receiving medical care in Metro Vancouver.

Garden City Lands Master Plan

Richmond, British Columbia
2013-Present

Garden City Lands is a 136 acre undeveloped site in the heart of Richmond that is protected under the agricultural land reserve, contains a bog, and is envisioned to become a unique, multi-functional park amenity for the Richmond community and greater Metro Vancouver area. PWL lead the second phase of the project, transforming public, stakeholder, and the City's feedback into well-balanced and innovative design strategies. The resultant masterplan vision includes sustainable agricultural uses, park functions, play opportunities, imaginative public art approaches that celebrate the site's history, and ecological conservation areas that all blend and support each other.

Garden City Lands Master Plan

Garden City Lands is a 136 acre undeveloped site in the heart of Richmond that is protected under the agricultural land reserve, contains a bog, and is envisioned to become a unique, multi-functional park amenity for the Richmond community and greater Metro Vancouver area.

Ambleside Village Centre Streetscape Study

West Vancouver, British Columbia
2011-2012

The District of West Vancouver commissioned PWL Partnership to develop the Ambleside Village Centre Streetscape Standards to provide a cohesive and unified framework for ongoing and long-term maintenance, renovation, and development of the public realm within the Village Area. The Standards will provide guidance for all future changes to the Village’s streets capes whether through private sector redevelopment or District works.

Ambleside Village Centre Streetscape Study

The District of West Vancouver commissioned PWL Partnership to develop the Ambleside Village Centre Streetscape Standards to provide a cohesive and unified framework for ongoing and long-term maintenance, renovation, and development of the public realm within the Village Area.

Vancouver Aquarium

Vancouver, British Columbia
2011-2014

PWL is working on a large multi-disciplinary and specialized team on the new expansion of the Vancouver Aquarium at Stanley Park. The new building entrance, gift shop and Outdoor Arctic Exhibition will provide a wide variety of new amenities for the Aquarium and Park users. The expansion will provide new entrance plazas with water features and gathering spaces, picnic areas, and outdoor exhibit viewing areas. The project will restore the native BC Forest character areas surrounding the aquarium and ensure better connections to feature surrounding park amenities.

Vancouver Aquarium

PWL is working on a large multi-disciplinary and specialized team on the new expansion of the Vancouver Aquarium at Stanley Park.

Tapestry Seniors Residence

University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia
2007-2011

Tapestry at Wesbrook Village UBC is a one-of-a-kind retirement community offering unique access for its residents to the services, culture and educational programs of the UBC Campus. PWL designed a greenway, a large open courtyard with garden spaces accommodating a range of seating options, a roof deck with a fire pit for outdoor eating opportunities, as well as green roofs and activity areas. The design of these outdoor 'rooms' provide comfortable spaces for seniors to find respite.

Tapestry Seniors Residence

Tapestry at Wesbrook Village UBC is a one-of-a-kind retirement community offering unique access for its residents to the services, culture and educational programs of the UBC Campus.

Tsawwassen Mills

Tsawwassen, British Columbia
2013-Present

PWL Partnership is responsible for the landscape design of the Mills project on Tsawwassen First Nation lands. Our contribution to the project included
landscape design at the six entry courts to create a unique and memorable customer experience. The project includes sophisticated rain water management
features in the landscape as well as the creation of 41.000 square meters of new fish habitat and the planting of over 2500 new large caliper trees on the project and adjacent streets.

Tsawwassen Mills

PWL Partnership is responsible for the landscape design of the Mills project on Tsawwassen First Nation lands.

Guildford Town Centre Expansion

Surrey, British Columbia
2006-2014

PWL Partnership was responsible for the design and construction documentation for the Guildford Town Centre Mall in Surrey, British Columbia. The multiple
phase, fast track project made significant improvements to the public realm around the perimeter of the project site. It also added connections throughout the site and a major new public space with a water feature at the heart of the development.

Guildford Town Centre Expansion

PWL Partnership was responsible for the design and construction documentation for the Guildford Town Centre Mall in Surrey, British Columbia.

Sunstone Community

Delta, British Columbia
2006-2012

The community plan for Sunstone focused on the creation of the public open space network including the streetscape design, entry sequence and overall community identity. The overall goal was to create a sense of place that responded to sustainable design practices including storm water management and habitat planting. The walking trails and main park with its 1.5 hectare storm water habitat pond helped to reclaim this once derelict gravel pit and turn it into a bustling new neighbourhood.

Sunstone Community

The community plan for Sunstone focused on the creation of the public open space network including the streetscape design, entry sequence and overall community identity.

Marine Drive Design Guidelines

North Vancouver, British Columbia
2009-2010

The Marine Drive Corridor Streetscape Design Guidelines provide a blueprint for the future of Marine Drive as a gateway street to the City of North Vancouver. It's intent is to implement the City's vision of Marine Drive as becoming part of a vibrant, diverse and highly livable community. When fully realized, the guidelines will achieve the City's vision of creating a more livable street by helping to attract more inhabitants, encourage a greater diversity of business that choose to embrace a pedestrian friendly street, create a safe and legible street to navigate on foot, and minimize stormwater flows into Burrard inlet.

Marine Drive Design Guidelines

The Marine Drive Corridor Streetscape Design Guidelines provide a blueprint for the future of Marine Drive as a gateway street to the City of North Vancouver.

Cactus Club Cafe - English Bay

Vancouver, British Columbia
2010–2012

The Cactus Club sits on the edge of English Bay within the boundaries of a City of Vancouver Park. The landscape design employed hard landscape materials
including basalt paving, LED light strips to reinforce the urban nature of the location while the soft landscape reflects the Mediterranean theme of the park. The
green roof and recycled grey water irrigation supply contributed to the projects LEED Gold certification.

Cactus Club Cafe - English Bay

The Cactus Club sits on the edge of English Bay within the boundaries of a City of Vancouver Park.

Living with Lakes Centre

Sudbury, Ontario
2008-2013

This LEED® Platinum project is located on the campus of Laurentian University adjacent to Ramsey Lake. The project included living roof for the two buildings and a ground based landscape. The plant material selection and design for both areas draws heavily from the surrounding site context and includes a palette of native plant species that seamlessly tie the rain gardens, parking lot and storm water detention pond into the overall site context. Two species of native blueberries and native grasses were planted on the roof of both buildings to complete the expression of the local Sudbury landscape.

Living with Lakes Centre

This LEED® Platinum project is located on the campus of Laurentian University adjacent to Ramsey Lake.

New Westminster Pier Park

New Westminster, BC
2012

The New Westminster Pier Park presents an opportunity for the community to reclaim its downtown waterfront as park and public spaces. PWL’s design embraces New Westminster’s rich heritage while addressing key urban design issues, such as connecting this former industrial site to the community, integrating a future civic centre and other development sites, and creating rich active open spaces.

The design for this 3.8 hectare site on the Fraser River incorporates remnant piers, boardwalks and naturalized planting to activate the waterfront and carry the energy and excitement of this open space to Sapperton Landing, New Westminster Quay, and the downtown core.

New Westminster Pier Park

The New Westminster Waterfront Master Plan presents an opportunity for the community to reclaim its downtown waterfront as park and public spaces.

Re:CONNECT - Visualizing the Viaducts

Vancouver, British Columbia
2011

Downtown Vancouver’s Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts, functional remnants of an abandoned plan for a downtown freeway, have been reconsidered in PWL’s award-winning submission for the City’s Re:CONNECT design competition.

In collaboration with Dialog, Beasley & Associates, and Jim Green & Associates, our submission -Viaducts = Parks + envisions connections between eastside and downtown neighbourhoods being enhanced by removing the viaducts and replacing them with a series of extensive green spaces, efficient and elegant multi-modal transportation routes, and a range of cultural facilities.

Our submission earned both an Award of Merit and People’s Choice Award in the Visualizing the Viaducts category, and we are excited to have contributed our ideas to the ongoing planning of the False Creek Flats neighbourhood.

Re:CONNECT - Visualizing the Viaducts

Downtown Vancouver’s Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts, functional remnants of an abandoned plan for a downtown freeway, have been reconsidered in PWL’s award-winning submission for the City’s Re:CONNECT design competition.

Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability

University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia
2008-2011

The Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability is a “living laboratory” for UBC, where researchers and building industry partners can assess sustainable building systems and technologies. The development illustrates leading edge sustainable and ecological design that integrate building and landscape systems such as green roof systems and native plants that restore natural habitat. The project is targeted for Living Building Status and Greenest Building in Canada.

Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability

The Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability is a “living laboratory” for UBC, where researchers and building industry partners can assess sustainable building systems and technologies.

Sha Po Design Competition

New Territories, Hong Kong
2011

PWL Partnership was invited to participate in a design competition to prepare a conceptual landscape design for a new sustainable community in New Territories, Hong Kong. The site is deeply connected to the water and affected by it in many ways. Sha Po North will be an integral system of buildings, landscape, people, and the natural systems minimizing its negative impacts on the environment while still offering a high level of amenities and comfort to residents. Triple Bottom Line and Beam Plus initiatives were used as a basis for the design.

Sha Po Design Competition

PWL Partnership was invited to participate in a design competition to prepare a conceptual landscape design for a new sustainable community in New Territories,
Hong Kong.

Granville Street Redesign

Vancouver, British Columbia
2008-2009

The Granville Street Redesign involves the redesign and reconstruction of the entire Downtown portion of historic Granville Street. The project significantly upgrades the quality of the streetscapes with a focus on improving the pedestrian experience. A flex-parking zone allows parking on the edge of the sidewalks at certain times while providing larger paved areas in the evenings when pedestrian traffic is at it's greatest. PWL worked with design consultant, Pechet Studio (formerly Pechet and Robb Art and Architecture), to develop a street redesign that engages the public and celebrates historical Granville Street.

Granville Street Redesign

The Granville Street Redesign Project involves the redesign and reconstruction of the entire Downtown portion of historic Granville Street.

Old Schoolhouse Park

New Westminster, British Columbia
2010-2011

Old Schoolhouse Park is a 1.2-hectare (3-acre) neighbourhood park located on the site of the local elementary school that burned down in the late 70s. Located in the centre of Queensborough, the park provides active sport and play opportunities and has become a destination for local residents who are excited by the new play opportunities it provides. The park features a balance between sports, park facilities, park play and nature. The retention of a number of existing tress, and provision of natural drainage help root the park in its surroundings and make it feel like it has always been a part of the community.

Old Schoolhouse Park

Old Schoolhouse Park is a 1.2-hectare (3-acre) neighbourhood park located on the site of the local elementary school that burned down in the late 70s.

Hinge Park at Southeast False Creek

Vancouver, British Columbia
2006-2010

PWL was retained by the City of Vancouver to design and implement the central community park in Southeast False Creek, known as Hinge Park. In collaboration with Pechet Studios (formerly Pechet and Robb Art and Architecture), the unique design approach combined historical references to the former City Worksyard site with the creation of a naturalized wetland environment that manages rainwater runoff from the surrounding neighbourhoods while providing natural habitat to a wide variety of plant and animal species. Neighbourhood amenities include an innovative children's playground among an array of active an passive spaces characterized by a unique design expression that merges industrial references of the past with restored natural ecology of the present.

Hinge Park at Southeast False Creek

PWL was retained by the City of Vancouver to design and implement the central community park in Southeast False Creek, known as Hinge Park.

Windsor Gate

Coquitlam, BC
2005-Present

Windsor Gate is a new community in Coquitlam, on a former mobile home park. PWL played a role in the redevelopment of the brownfield site by creating a Master Plan that includes a range of housing options, public amenities, commercial opportunities, and public and private park and garden spaces. Landscapes for the streetscape, townhouse complex, multi-family buildings, clubhouse, and entry water feature are developed. The identity of this socially-oriented community is shaped with low granite walls, custom lantern features, and lush plantings.

Windsor Gate

Windsor Gate is a new community in Coquitlam, on a former mobile home park.

Arbutus Centre

Vancouver, British Columbia
2009-Present

The Arbutus Centre project incorporates existing retail and commercial amenities into a new development within a 3.2-hectare (7.8-acre) area site. A variety of housing, including housing for seniors, is incorporated into the mixed-use community featuring significant public amenities. Focus is drawn to the seniors' centre, community centre and village square. Extensive garden and roof deck courtyards are utilized for amenity and social gathering, urban agriculture and
green roofs.

Arbutus Centre

The Arbutus Centre project incorporates existing retail and commercial amenities into a new development within a 3.2-hectare (7.8-acre) area site.

Southeast False Creek Olympic Village Public Realm

Vancouver, BC
2010

Vancouver's Olympic Village was envisioned and designed as a community that would push the boundaries of sustainability, while possessing a unique sense of place. Its public realm is no exception. The project utilizes breakthrough rainwater management techniques and structural soil cells to reduce its ecological footprint. A rich palette of unit pavers and granite setts are used in the sidewalks, boulevards and streets to create a memorable pedestrian experience.

Southeast False Creek Olympic Village Public Realm

Vancouver's Olympic Village was envisioned and designed as a community that would pus the boundaries of sustainability, while possessing a unique sense of place.

Squamish Oceanfront Park

Squamish, British Columbia
2010

Located at the southern end of the Oceanfront Peninsula, Squamish Oceanfront Park captures some of the most dramatic mountain and ocean views in the region. The 8.8 hectare (22 acre) park is bordered by rich aquatic environments of the Howe Sound, the Mamquam Blind Channel, and the Cattermole Slough. Planned as a destination park for wind sports, community gathering, walking, hiking and picnicking, the park development will restore the foreshore along Nexen Beach and provide trails to the Estuary and downtown Squamish. The park is planned as the focal point of the future Peninsula Mixed Use Development.

Squamish Oceanfront Park

Located at the southern end of the Oceanfront Peninsula, Squamish Oceanfront Park captures some of the most dramatic mountain and ocean views in the region.

Eugene Water + Electric Board

Eugene, Oregon
2009-Present

PWL is developing a mixed-use community master plan for the City of Eugene, Oregon. Owned by the Eugene Water and Electrical Board (EWEB), this 11 hectare brownfield site will see the relocation of EWEB’s headquarters and maintenances facilities and the redevelopment of the property along the Willamette River into a vibrant community. The plan integrates sustainable design strategies to restore the river ecology and shoreline, provide a range of commercial, cultural and residential uses, and reconnect the city centre to the river’s edge.

Eugene Water + Electric Board

PWL is developing a mixed-use community master plan for the City of Eugene, Oregon.

Marine Gateway

Vancouver, British Columbia
2008-2016

Marine Gateway is one of the first landmark urban density projects along the new Canada Line. As a LEEDTM Gold sustainable development, it will create retail stores, restaurants, medical offices, condominiums, rental homes and business offices all in one convenient location along the Cambie Corridor. The landscape and public realm are integral in creating a great new community. All roots are utilized extensively as amenity, environmental, and sustainable features.

Marine Gateway

Marine Gateway is one of the first landmark urban density projects along the new Canada Line.

Dockside Green

Victoria, British Columbia
2006-2009

Dockside Green is a model livable community and project for which the developer and design team have pursued the highest goals in energy efficiency and sustainable design.

PWL Partnership, in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team, produced the competition-winning master plan for this innovative pedestrian-oriented mixed-use community. Closed-loop design strategies employed at Dockside Green include on-site wastewater treatment and reuse, a biomass plant and central heating system, an alternative transportation strategy, and carefully integrated greenspaces and wildlife habitat.

PWL helped realize the first two residential phases and the central greenway, with the first phase achieving world record-breaking LEED Platinum certification for New Construction in 2008. PWL helped overcome numerous design challenges in order to meet LEED requirements, to meet code requirements for rainwater management, and to design a significant demonstration freshwater ecosystem.

Dockside Green

Dockside Green is a model livable community and project for which the developer and design team have pursued the highest goals in energy efficiency and sustainable design.

Crystal City

Tianjin City, China
2002–2003

Crystal City is a phased 25 Hectare residential redevelopment on the site of an historic glass factory. The project sits on the outskirts of Tianjin, China and aims to create a new planned community targeted at the emerging young middle class urban Chinese population. The master plan includes a variety of housing types, retail facilities, a recreation centre and a network of parks and open spaces. PWL Partnership has been involved in the project from the initial site planning concepts through design development and construction documents for the first phases.

Crystal City

Crystal City is a phased 25 Hectare residential redevelopment on the site of an historic glass factory.

New Westminster Waterfront Master Plan

New Westminster, BC
2009

The New Westminster Waterfront Master Plan presents an opportunity for the community to reclaim its downtown waterfront as park and public spaces. PWL’s conceptual plan embraces New Westminster’s rich heritage while addressing key urban design issues, such as connecting this former industrial site to the community, integrating a future civic centre and other development sites, and creating rich active open spaces.

The plan for this 4.5 hectare (11 acre) site on the Fraser River incorporates remnant piers, boardwalks and naturalized planting to activate the waterfront and carry the energy and excitement of this open space to Sapperton Landing, New Westminster Quay, and the downtown core.

New Westminster Waterfront Master Plan

The New Westminster Waterfront Master Plan presents an opportunity for the community to reclaim its downtown waterfront as park and public spaces.

Squamish Oceanfront Development Lands

Squamish, British Columbia
2009-Present

PWL is working with the project team commissioned by the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation to prepare the overall Master Plan for Squamish Oceanfront. The Oceanfront is envisioned to become a comprehensive new community that reflects and respects the values of all of the people of Squamish, and whose character and expression is inspired by the spectacular beauty of the surrounding natural landscape. Notable features include a continuous waterfront trail system and an internal network of thoughtfully planned civic spaces.

Squamish Oceanfront Development Lands

PWL is working with the project team commissioned by the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation to prepare the overall Master Plan for Squamish Oceanfront.

Silver Springs

Coquitlam, British Columbia
2001–Present

PWL was part of the design team that developed the overall concept and identity of Silver Springs while moving the project through a public consultation and rezoning process. Along with the various phases of residential development PWL was responsible for the design of the major water feature entry monument, trail system and streetscape. The overall project includes Trillium, Whisper Ridge, Summerlin, Tantalus and the The Cascade Club.

Silver Springs

PWL was part of the design team that developed the overall concept and identity of Silver Springs while moving the project through a public consultation and rezoning process.

Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project

Vancouver, British Columbia
2005-2008

The expansion of the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre has added a spectacular urban plaza, public gathering spaces, living roof, and seawall pedestrian route to the Coal Harbour waterfront and downtown core. PWL Partnership designed the 2.4 hectare (six acre) living roof, the largest in Canada, and incorporated LEED initiatives throughout the open space design to create a world-class expansion of the existing facility.

Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project

The expansion of the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre has added a spectacular urban plaza, public gathering spaces, living roof, and seawall pedestrian route to the Coal Harbour waterfront and downtown core.

Harbourside Village Master Plan

North Vancouver, BC
2008-Present

The Harbourside Village Master Plan focused on reworking the existing Harbourside Business Park at the foot of Fell Avenue in North Vancouver to incorporate a broader use including residential, mixed-use and sustainable development. Working with a multidisciplinary team and the City of North Vancouver, a design ‘Sketch Book’ was created to present ideas to the community in a conceptual format. The sketchbook illustrated how the existing streetscape, the public open space including the Spirit Trail, and waterfront park could be enhanced and included in the proposed new mix-used community.

Harbourside Village Master Plan

The Harbourside Village Master Plan focused on reworking the existing Harbourside Business Park at the foot of Fell Avenue in North Vancouver to incorporate a broader use including residential, mixed-use and sustainable development.

Quilchena Park

Vancouver, British Columbia
1999-2005

The multi-phase development on the site of the former Quilchena golf course involves the construction of new market housing within an existing framework of 360 heritage trees. PWL collaborated with other members of the consulting team to carefully detail the building landscape interface to accommodate the relocation and retention of the trees. Alexandra House, Marguerite House I & II, Devonshire House, Matthews House, McClure Walk, McClure House, Laurier House represent 9 phases of the overall development.

Quilchena Park

The multi-phase development on the site of the former Quilchena golf course involves the construction of new market housing within an existing framework of 360 heritage trees.

Hillcrest Recreation Centre

Vancouver, BC
2004-2010

Hillcrest Park Recreation Centre is a regional destination aquatic centre combined with a community centre that includes an ice rink, curling club, field house, library, child care facility, and a fitness studio. PWL participated in the park master planning that included a multi stage public consultation process, followed by detailed landscape design, permitting, construction drawings and construction administration.

The landscape design supports the high traffic active use building functions and includes an outdoor pool, play spaces, community gathering places and a multi use entry plaza. Significant existing trees were protected and retained and now contribute to the dramatic architectural experience. The project is pursuing LEED Gold certification.

Hillcrest Recreation Centre

Hillcrest Park Recreation Centre is a regional destination aquatic centre combined with a community centre that includes an ice rink, curling club, field house, library, child care facility, and a fitness studio.

UniverCity Rezoning Master Plan

Burnaby, British Columbia
2008–Present

UniverCity at SFU is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. The main goal of the Public Realm is to pull this landscape deep into the community creating a strong sense of integration of the neighbourhood within its environment. This is achieved through maintaining forested “fingers” between several development sites, extensive landscape bump outs in the road right of ways planted with a wide variety of native and adaptive plants, careful selection of street trees, connecting the sidewalks to the existing trail network in the conservation area and the development of new trails directly within the community.

PWL’s contribution to UniverCity’s third phase will see the continued development of the concepts of liveability and environmental responsibility for this model sustainable community at Simon Fraser University. As with the first two phases, the third phase of rezoning will focus on stormwater management, native planting, engaging public spaces, and distinctive hardscape treatments.

UniverCity Rezoning Master Plan

PWL’s contribution to UniverCity’s third phase will see the continued development of the concepts of liveability and environmental responsibility for this model sustainable community at Simon Fraser University.

Electronic Arts Corporate Campus

Burnaby, British Columbia
2003-2008

PWL worked with the City of Burnaby and Electronic Arts to create a recreational environment that reflects the gaming and high tech design world, while seizing every opportunity to address ecological sustainability. The Electronic Arts Burnaby campus expansion integrates a range of studio and outdoor amenity spaces into an ecologically sensitive site. Landscape features include a Ceremonial Plaza, provision of green roofs, a dramatic makeover of the existing entry drive, and recreation and sports features including an outdoor soccer field, basketball and volleyball courts. Innovative components of the project include storm water retention ponds and creeks, public trails, and enhancement of the existing forest.

Electronic Arts Corporate Campus

PWL worked with the City of Burnaby and Electronic Arts to create a recreational environment that reflects the gaming and high tech design world, while seizing every opportunity to address ecological sustainability.

Richmond #3 Road

Richmond, British Columbia
2009-Present

In conjunction with the Canada Line construction along #3 Road PWL was part of a multi-disciplinary team responsible for the restoration design. The extent of the project included a 3 kilometre portion from Bridgeport Road southwards to Granville Avenue. As part of the design team PWL contributed to developing a unifying streetscape through the use of common paving materials, street furniture, vertical elements, and planting design. PWL was responsible for the detailed design, construction documents and construction implementation, which also included the interface design development of Lansdowne SkyTrain station with the streetscape.

Richmond #3 Road

In conjunction with the Canada Line construction along #3 Road PWL was part of a multi-disciplinary team responsible for the restoration design.

Vancouver, Washington Waterfront

Vancouver, Washington
2007-2010

PWL has been retained by Gramor Development and The City of Vancouver, to work on the industrial waterfront site once owned by Boise Cascade for their paper plant.

The project site, located on the Columbia River directly across from Portland, Oregon, is 30 acres in size and will be a new mixed-use neighbourhood including residential, retail, commercial, civic, and park spaces, as well as environmental restoration areas. PWL is collaborating with the architect and a multi-disciplinary team on the site planning, parks and open space planning, and landscape design for the project.

The project is presently in the planning stage with waterfront parks, streetscape, open space and trail design to follow.

Vancouver, Washington Waterfront

PWL has been retained by Gramor Development and The City of Vancouver, to work on the industrial waterfront site once owned by Boise Cascade for their paper plant.

Marguerite House

Vancouver, British Columbia
1999-2005

Marguerite House Phase I and II are two phases of a seven phase project at Quilchena Park is located on the site of the former Arbutus Gardens apartment complex built in the 1960s.The overall site contained three hundred and sixty trees with important heritage value, and the preservation of these trees became central tenet to the development. PWL Partnership worked with developer Polygon Homes and Nigel Baldwin Architects to establish the individual building sites, and grade the site to protect and successfully integrate the mature trees into the new site development. The result is a carefully designed and detailed landscape setting constructed with high quality local materials that frames the architecture and provides a park-like setting for the residents and visitors.

Marguerite House

Marguerite House Phase I and II are two phases of a seven phase project at Quilchena Park is located on the site of the former Arbutus Gardens apartment complex built in the 1960s.

East Fraserlands Master Plan

Vancouver, British Columbia
2006-Present

East Fraserlands is a planned sustainable community proposed for development on the banks of the Fraser River in South Vancouver. This 53- hectare brownfield site will be home to a population of 10,000 people housed in a wide range of medium and high density housing types complete with retail and commercial amenities, schools, a community centre, public parks and a restored waterfront. The master plan has evolved over a period of time since 2005 and has involved extensive collaboration between the developers, the City of Vancouver, local community groups and an extensive team of consultants. The first phase of construction commenced in 2010.

Since 2006, PWL partnership has worked with the developer and project team to develop the overall Public Realm Plan for the first two phases of development. The East Fraserlands master plan emphasizes the creation of a new sustainable community that celebrates environmental stewardship, the riverside context and the site's cultural heritage.

East Fraserlands Master Plan

East Fraserlands is a planned sustainable community proposed for development on the banks of the Fraser River in South Vancouver.

Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

Whistler, British Columbia
2004–2008

In the spirit of co-operation and goodwill, the Skwxwú7mesh and Lil’wat7ul Nations have constructed a shared cultural centre overlooking Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. This facility provided opportunities for the two Nations to showcase their cultures during the 2010 Winter Olympics and is a permanent venue for cultural activities and displays.

The landscape is a vital interpretive tool, integrating the architecture, an amalgam of the Squamish longhouse and Lil’Wat istken (pit house), into the site. The landscape, including the ethnobotanical garden, is planted exclusively with native species traditionally used by both First Nations groups. The istken features an extensive green roof that contributed to the project’s LEED Gold certification. Much of the site’s Coastal Western Hemlock forest has been retained and the existing trails incorporated into the plan.

Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

In the spirit of co-operation and goodwill, the Skwxwú7mesh and Lil’wat7ul Nations have constructed a shared cultural centre overlooking Whistler and Blackcombe Mountains.

BC Parkway

Vancouver, British Columbia
2007-2009

The BC Parkway is an existing 26 kilometre regional greenway following the Expo SkyTrain line through four municipalities. PWL led a multi-discipinary team and worked with multiple stakeholders to prepare a conceptual design for the redevelopment of this important linear greenspace. This design showcases the best practices in safety, accessibility, systainability, and innovative facility design in a manner that is direct, pleasant to use, and engaging for both novice users and daily commuters.

BC Parkway

The BC Parkway is an existing 26 kilometre regional greenway following the Expo SkyTrain line through four municipalities.

Southeast False Creek Waterfront

Vancouver, British Columbia
2005–2008

The Southeast False Creek (SEFC) Neighbourhood is one of Canada’s leading sustainable communities and Vancouver's first comprehensive sustainable neighbourhood development. At approximately 32 hectares it will, when fully developed, provide a mix of land uses, be home to 10,000 – 12,000 people in market and non-market housing, and demonstrate exemplary practices in energy and water conservation, innovative infrastructure practices and transit oriented development.

Waterfront Park represents the first phase of SEFC’s primary park and open space system and a 650 meter extension of Vancouver’s iconic seawall. Through walkways, bicycle paths, diverse seating and gathering areas the park provides a variety of vital green spaces that will reconnect SEFC residents and visitors alike with the heritage-rich waterfront, and offer unique and memorable experiences unlike any other in Vancouver.

Southeast False Creek Waterfront

The Southeast False Creek (SEFC) Neighbourhood is one of Canada’s leading sustainable communities and Vancouver's first comprehensive sustainable neighbourhood development.

Deer Lake Park

Burnaby, British Columbia
2008-2010

Deer Lake Park, a 206 hectare park located at the centre of the City of Burnaby, has a predominantly natural character complemented with cultural, recreational and heritage amenities. The Shadbolt Terrace and Festival Lawn project has involved the renovation of a five hectare site between the Shadbolt Centre and Deer Lake. PWL Partnership is the prime consultant leading a team of civil, electrical and geotechnical engineers, as well as a heritage consultant. The work has included an expanded public plaza adjoining the arts centre. The plaza design has been integrated with custom design furnishings and public art. Improved park entry points are defined by custom design pylon features and discrete permanent fencing to assist with crowd control during events. The park path system will be improved and expanded; festival lawn seating will be expanded to accommodate concerts and events. The overall construction cost is approximately $2.8 million, divided between two construction phases. The first phase will be completed in January 2010 and the second phase before the summer of 2010.

Deer Lake Park

Deer Lake Park, a 206 hectare park located at the centre of the City of Burnaby, has a predominantly natural character complemented with cultural, recreational and heritage amenities.

Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre

Abbotsford, British Columbia
2003–2008

PWL’s design encompasses all areas exterior to the state-of-the-art 300-bed Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre, which provides enhanced and specialized health services to the Abbotsford area and Fraser Valley. Included in the landscape design are healing gardens, rehabilitation areas, courtyards, and a rainwater retention pond. A complement to patient, staff, and visitor activities, the hospital landscape design helped the project achieve LEED Silver certification through elements such as stormwater management, native and adapted planting, and high performance irrigation utilizing non-potable water.

Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre

PWL’s design encompasses all areas exterior to the state-of-the-art 300-bed Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre, which provides enhanced and specialized health services to the Abbotsford area and Fraser Valley.

Central Valley Greenway

Vancouver, British Columbia
2005-2009

The Central Valley Greenway is a planned 22 kilometer long pathway system that will serve commuter and recreational cyclists, pedestrians and other non-motorized modes of transport. Once completed, it will be a world-class cycling and pedestrian facility, linking important regional destinations in Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster.

Lighting and public art will allow for night use, improve personal safety, and will provide stimulating cultural features. The development will incorporate sustainable materials and construction methods such as exposed surface drainage, recycled asphalt and reinforced earth slopes.

Central Valley Greenway

The Central Valley Greenway is a planned 22 kilometer long pathway system that will serve commuter and recreational cyclists, pedestrians and other non-motorized modes of transport.

UniverCity Public Realm

Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, British Columbia
2005–2008

PWL has designed a vibrant and cohesive public realm for UniverCity, a model sustainable community at Simon Fraser University. In conjunction with SFU Community Trust and a team of civil engineers and stormwater management consultants, PWL oversaw the project from conceptual design to construction administration.

Differing characters were defined for residential and commercial streets that included paving treatments, stormwater management techniques, and native and adaptive planting. Crossing nodes were designed to include meeting spaces and social opportunities, while streets were designed to be useable by many modes of transportation, with connectivity, safety, and livability as guiding factors.

UniverCity Public Realm

PWL has designed a vibrant and cohesive public realm for UniverCity, a model sustainable community at Simon Fraser University.

Haihe Riverfront

Tianjin, China
2003–2004

The City of Tianjin is undertaking an ambitious upgrade of the infrastructure associated with the urban sections of the Haihe River, which runs through the center of the city. PWL Partnership has designed and detailed the open spaces and streetscapes along both sides of a 3 Kilometer section of the river, which will help set the scene for major urban redevelopment in the urban core.

Haihe Riverfront

The City of Tianjin is undertaking an ambitious upgrade of the infrastructure associated with the urban sections of the Haihe River, which runs through the center of the city.

The Concord

Vancouver, British Columbia
1995

PWL provided both neighbourhood planning and detailed site design for the majority of the residential projects in the Beach Neighbourhood on the North Shore of False Creek in downtown Vancouver. These developments include Azura II, The Waterford, The Concord, Icon, Silver Sea, and Aqua. This work involved the coordinaton of the design of each development with the larger public open space system, and included the seawall, community streestscape, David Lam Park, and George Wainborn Park.

Neighbourhood south of Pacific Boulevard between Seymour and Drake, Vancouver, BC

The Concord

PWL provided both neighbourhood planning and detailed site design for the majority of the residential projects in the Beach Neighbourhood on the North Shore of False Creek in downtown Vancouver.

Dockside Green Development Master Plan

Victoria, BC
2004-Present

PWL Partnership was part of a multi-disciplinary team for the winning submission of the Dockside competition, located in Victoria’s Gorge. This 12-acre brownfield site is poised to be an innovative mixed-use community rated as LEED Platinum. Sustainable initiatives include the innovative management of on-site energy and resources as part of a “triple bottom line” strategy of balancing economy, ecology and the social benefit of the greater community.

PWL Partnership’s scope of work presently includes the Master Plan, Rezoning for the entire project, and Development Permit, construction documentation, and construction implementation work for the first phase.

Dockside Green Development Master Plan

PWL Partnership was part of a multi-disciplinary team for the winning submission of the Dockside competition, located in Victoria’s Gorge.

Stanley Park Salmon Stream

Vancouver, British Columbia
1999

PWL led a multi-disciplinary team in the design of the Stanley Park Salmon Stream. Hard landscape park areas were reclaimed in order to construct a BC salmon educational habitat where none had previously existed. Project highlights included interpretive opportunities and the use of the Aquarium’s saltwater waste to charge a portion of the salmon stream. The park’s existing fresh water stream was upgraded by eliminating a water-to-waste system.

Stanley Park Salmon Stream

PWL led a multi-disciplinary team in the design of the Stanley Park Salmon Stream.

Stanley Park Prospect Point

Vancouver, BC
2007

After a catastrophic windstorm in December, 2006 toppled or damaged nearly every tree at Prospect Point, the design team created a newly organized circulation design for this scenic and heavily visited location in Stanley Park. Relocating the vehicular circulation away from the cliff edge increased pedestrian safety and accessibility to the spectacular viewing sites against cliff edge while well thought out habitat planting recreated the look of a natural habitat before the influence of park development. Important features of the design are a viewing platform hanging over the cliff edge and a sharply pointed basalt planter, which focuses pedestrians’ eyes towards the views of the ocean and the spectacular North Shore mountains.

Stanley Park Prospect Point

After a catastrophic windstorm in December, 2006 toppled or damaged nearly every tree at Prospect Point, the design team created a newly organized circulation design for this scenic and heavily visited location in Stanley Park.

Porteau Cove

Howe Sound, British Columbia
2004-Present

As Lead Consultants, PWL Partnership worked with owners Concord Pacific Group, the Squamish Nation, and a comprehensive team of consultants to create an innovative development plan for this 1200 acre master planned community on the Sea to Sky corridor north of Vancouver, BC. When the site is fully developed, Porteau Cove will include a Village Centre with mixed residential, commercial, and community uses. These will include sensitively sited multi-family mid-rise buildings that take advantage of the topography, single family homes, and a range of amenities that will feature a school site, on-site sewage treatment, parks, viewpoints and trails.

Sensitive siting has resulted in the preservation of over 60% of the site in its natural state, including areas with old growth forest, creeks and wetlands. A comprehensive trail system preserves connections to the Howe Sound Crest Trail, Deeks Lake, and the waterfront, while providing a system of linkages within the development. Over 50 acres of parks and viewpoints will ensure that the public can easily access the spectacular views of Howe Sound and the surrounding mountains.

Porteau Cove

As Lead Consultants, PWL Partnership worked with owners Concord Pacific Group, the Squamish Nation, and a comprehensive team of consultants to create an innovative development plan for this 1200 acre master planned community on the Sea to Sky corridor north of Vancouver, BC.

Stanley Park Lost Lagoon Wetland

Vancouver, British Columbia
2001

As part of the Lions Gate Bridge rehabilitation project, the Stanley Park Causeway drainage system has been upgraded to collect all pavement stormwater discharge and direct it to Lost Lagoon to be treated in an engineered wetland.

The primary function of the wetland is to allow soil and plant material to absorb fine particles, dissolved metals and nutrients in the stormwater before it flows into Lost Lagoon. The wetland has considerable side benefits in creation of terrestrial, aquatic and aviary habitats. Terraces, deep pools, and flow channels contribute to the diversity of plant and biotic life and increases the number of pollutants removed in the process.

The selection of plant material was restricted to native plants that are indigenous to riparian, high marsh and low marsh growing conditions. Every effort was made to recreate the natural character of a British Columbia marsh in this engineered urban wetland. A pedestrian walkway has been constructed around the wetland and features three timer boardwalk lookouts with interpretive signage that enhances the interpretive possibilities of the wetland and the stormwater treatment process.

Stanley Park Lost Lagoon Wetland

As part of the Lions Gate Bridge rehabilitation project, the Stanley Park Causeway drainage system has been upgraded to collect all pavement stormwater discharge and direct it to Lost Lagoon to be treated in an engineered wetland.

Southeast False Creek Official Development Plan

Vancouver, BC
2003-2006

The official development plan involved PWL working with multidisciplinary team on the 80 acre project area which includes 20 hectares (50 acres) of city owned brownfield land located on the last industrial site on False Creek in downtown Vancouver.

Southeast False Creek will be a showcase for sustainable development and will provide new housing for 12-16,000 people who will enjoy some 50 hectares (20 acres) of parkland and open space. Ecological initiatives include shoreline habitat creation and enhancement and a comprehensive strategy for managing storm water on site. The social benefits of the open space design include the a wide range of community oriented recreational uses, ranging from passive park space to active uses such as inline skating, bicycling, and field sports. Assessing the relationship between high density residential, institutional, commercial uses and parks space has been instrumental in creating definable public space as the community focus. Outdoor spaces will range in scale from intimate neighbourhood parks and mews, to large waterfront oriented recreation corridors that provide key linkages to the greater open space network throughout the City of Vancouver.

Southeast False Creek Official Development Plan

The official development plan involved PWL working with multidisciplinary team on the 80 acre project area which includes 20 hectares (50 acres) of city owned brownfield land located on the last industrial site on False Creek in downtown Vancouver.

CBC Plaza

Vancouver, British Columbia
2010

The major public focus of the redevelopment of the CBC Plaza is to provide an open relationship with Hamilton Street -- with the mid–block pedestrian arcade opening onto a semi-public space to provide internal site access for residents, the CBC, and the new community uses. A new publicly accessible court and water garden leads into the CBC arcade, and the new spaces suggest an “outdoor studio” to complement the visible production studios. Planting replaces much of the existing paving, as well as covering the majority of lower roof surfaces

CBC Plaza

The major public focus of the redevelopment of the CBC Plaza is to provide an open relationship with Hamilton Street -- with the mid–block pedestrian arcade opening onto a semi-public space to provide internal site access for residents, the CBC, and the new community uses.

Phyllis Bentall Garden at VanDusen Botanical Garden

Vancouver, BC
2006

The Phyllis Bentall Garden represents the first phase of a major renovation to VanDusen Botanical Garden, expected to be completed over the next several years. This new garden space is focused on a formal rectangular pool that houses the garden’s collection of hardy and tropical water lilies. The dry laid paving, carefully detailed steps and handrails complete this lavish new outdoor room. From the patio, visitors enjoy views to the north over Livingstone Lake and beyond.

Phyllis Bentall Garden at VanDusen Botanical Garden

The Phyllis Bentall Garden represents the first phase of a major renovation to VanDusen Botanical Garden, expected to be completed over the next several years.

Dongli Lake

Dongli, China
2002-2004

PWL played a lead role in the masterplanning of this 270 hectare mixed use community located outside of Tianjin, China. Through extensive studies of the site and its unique location, a plan was conceived that softly embraces the landscape, utilizing the special qualities of the existing to weave development through and around an extensive series of interconnected waterways and green belts. By doing so, the low-density man-made development imposes itself lightly on the landscape, sensitively combining natural elements to frame an existing dyke, whilst affording all visitors and residents continuous access to the waters of Dongli lake and beyond.

Dongli Lake

PWL played a lead role in the masterplanning of this 270 hectare mixed use community located outside of Tianjin, China.

Terra Nova Rural Park Plan

Richmond, British Columbia
2003

The Terra Nova Rural Park Plan encompasses 27 hectares of primarily agricultural land located at the northwest tip of Richmond Island. The site remained largely undeveloped since the original settlement in the late 1800s and presented the opportunity to create a unique public open space for exploration and learning. PWL Partnership was hired by the City of Richmond as the lead consultants to develop a master plan and to oversee phased implementation. The project included an extensive public consultation process and involved a diverse team of sub-consultants in the areas of public art and interpretation, environment, heritage, public consultation, cost estimation, archaeology and engineering.

Terra Nova Rural Park Plan

The Terra Nova Rural Park Plan encompasses 27 hectares of primarily agricultural land located at the northwest tip of Richmond Island.

Town+Gown Plaza

Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, British Columbia
2005

Winner of 2007 National Merit Award from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects

Town & Gown Square has been instrumental in establishing the identity of the public realm framework and creating a distinct sense of place for SFU's UniverCity neighbourhood commercial area. The Square incorporates facilities for public gatherings, a performance space, several restaurant patios, and a prominent water feature set against the surrounding native coniferous forest. Plant materials include indigenous species as well as specimens salvaged from the previous site development.

Town+Gown Plaza

Town & Gown Square has been instrumental in establishing the identity of the public realm framework and creating a distinct sense of place for SFU's UniverCity neighbourhood commercial area.

40 PWL Chinese Projects

PWL has been working on projects in China since 1990. In 2011, we launched our Shanghai office so that we could work more closely with our clients, get our projects built, and contribute to China’s burgeoning landscape architecture profession. We now have a new generation of active projects at various stages of development. More importantly, we have a great team of local professionals on the ground in Shanghai. Many of our first projects are built and more are on the way.

40 PWL Chinese Projects

Versatile Shipyards

North Vancouver, British Columbia
1999

Inspired by the legacy of the Wallace Shipyards, the rezoning plan for Versatile Shipyards paid reference to the past yet satisfied the needs for creating a sustainable, meaningful place for the future. New uses proposed for the site included a hotel, commercial and residential development. As part of a multi-disciplinary team, PWL Partnership was responsible for the open space design that focused on the heritage value of the site. Rich with characteristic shipyard structures, unique artifacts and details, PWL developed a concept plan that integrated both the old with the new. As part of the interpretive program, it was intended that Versatile Shipyards continue with the tradition as a work yard with a presence that could be felt throughout the community.

Versatile Shipyards

Inspired by the legacy of the Wallace Shipyards, the rezoning plan for Versatile Shipyards paid reference to the past yet satisfied the needs for creating a sustainable, meaningful place for the future.

40 Birds

At PWL, we recognize the importance biodiversity brings to the landscape. That is why it is important to deliver great outdoor space that is mindful of all species. Here are 40 birds that can be found within in our lower mainland projects.

40 Birds

40 Hours of Invasive Plant Pulling

Over the years, PWL has supported numerous projects in Stanley Park that have contributed to its environmental restoration and landscape legacy. Recently, the PWL team got together to pull invasive weeds in an area where trees have been planted in a transition zone between meadow and forest. We had a great time, got our hands dirty, and learned a lot from the local stewards, The Stanley Park Ecology Society. We plan to make this an annual effort to contribute to our ongoing environmental and community stewardship endeavours.

40 Hours of Invasive Plant Pulling

40 Colours of the Landscape

Nature offers an abundance of beautiful hues. From the magic hour sky during sunset to blooming wildflower meadows in the spring. Flora and fauna offer amazing colours for us to witness. Here are 40 colours inspired by nature's beauty and that we utilize in our presentations.

40 Colours of the Landscape

40 Cheers for 40 Years

In September 2016, PWL celebrated 40 years of landscape architecture at TAPshack Eatery in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour, one of our signature Vancouver waterfront park projects. Surrounded by friends, colleagues and community members, we came together for a spirited evening of food, drink, and music overlooking one of our signature projects, the Vancouver Convention Centre. We’re excited for what’s next! Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to follow along on our journey.

#PWL40

40 Cheers for 40 Years

40 Native Plants Planted

In the fall of 2016, PWL spent 40 hours pulling invasive plants in Stanley Park. This spring, PWL and the Stanley Park Ecology Society returned to the site to plant 40 native trees and plants. These plants act as a foundation to the native ecosystem and natural communities in Stanley Park. PWL supports active stewardship of local parks and natural places. The following trees and plants species were planted:

40 Native Plants Planted

40 Sources of Inspiration

At PWL Partnership, we believe strongly in knowledge and resource sharing with our community of practice. The communities and colleagues we work with can accomplish much more through transparency and open learning. Below are 40 sources of inspiration in the field of landscape architecture that we like to return to over and over again.

40 Sources of Inspiration

40 Birthday Candles

Lordy lordy, look who's 40!

Well, it's official. PWL is 40 years young. On October 26, 1976, PWL made its debut into Vancouver's landscape architecture community. To honour the occasion, we assembled in our Vancouver offices on October 26, 2016 for an anniversary cake with 40 candles and 40 balloons. The five PWL partners were presented with personalized cards from the team as well as a poster marking the history of PWL projects throughout the last 40 years.

Thanks to everyone who's been there along the way. Here's to the next 40 years!

40 Birthday Candles

40 Jack-O'-Lanterns

Recently, we celebrated Hallowe'en with an annual PWL tradition -- a good ol' fashioned costume and pumpkin carving contest! This year, in the spirit of our 40th anniversary, we brought in 40 pumpkins for our carving pleasure. In addition to prizes for best and worst costumes, we also awarded best and worst pumpkin. Congrats to Belinda for claiming this year's prize! Logan... Better luck next year.

40 Jack-O'-Lanterns

40 Decorated Eggs

In keeping with tradition, PWL Partnership hosted our annual egg decorating contest as a simple exercise of creativity. The colourful results demonstrate that design ideas and inspiration come from everywhere, even Batman.

#PWL40

40 Decorated Eggs

40 Books on Nature and Ecology

At PWL, we’re really passionate about learning. Recently, we purchased 40 nature and ecology focused books to donate to the students, teachers, and library at East Vancouver’s Strathcona Elementary School. Constructed in 1891, Strathcona Elementary is Vancouver’s oldest school and its architectural preservation is important to us. Subsequently, PWL is currently working with the Vancouver School Board on a design for the school's seismic upgrade, which includes playgrounds.

40 Books on Nature and Ecology

40 Rocks

Earlier this year, we hosted our 5th annual PWL Bonspiel. Joined by friends and family, we randomly break everyone up into teams and create costumes and posters. Curling is just one of the ways we like to promote team building and active living here at PWL.

#PWL40

40 Rocks

40 Bike Rides

Support for multi-modal transportation options is a priority to us here at PWL Partnership. Twice a year, a number of staff participate in Vancouver’s Bike To Work Week campaign. This October, our team set out to achieve 40 bike trips in a week, but surpassed the goal by logging 94! In total, 487.24 kilometres were pedalled, 14,617 calories burned, and 106 kilograms of greenhouse gases prevented from being emitted into the atmosphere. Every little bit counts.

40 Bike Rides

40 PWL Projects

What does good public space look like? At PWL Partnership, this question is the backbone of everything we do. As part of our 40th anniversary project, we’ve gone back and identified some of our favourite public realm projects over the years. Take a close look… Do you recognize any of these spaces?

40 PWL Projects

40 x 40 x 16 = 25,470 steps!

British Columbia is a pretty spectacular place, as I’m sure most of you will agree. To celebrate this incredible natural landscape, a number of PWL’s staff and partners recently hiked to the top of Grouse Mountain, via the Grouse Grind. Armed with snacks and an abundance of enthusiasm, together we tackled a total of 25,470 steps! Once at the top, we were greeted by high fives and our first glimpse of this season’s snowfall! It was such a fun day that we plan to make it an annual event!

40 x 40 x 16 = 25,470 steps!

40 x 25 Cans

Everyone is hungry at some point each day, but far too many go hungry because they cannot access nutritional food on a daily basis. For the sixth consecutive year, PWL Partnership and the Vancouver Convention Centre teamed up and contributed 1,000 cans of Amy’s Organic Chili and Soups to the Vancouver Food Bank as part of Canstruction 2016. The goal of this campaign is to shed light on hunger issues in Metro Vancouver and place food in the hands of those who need it most.

#PWL40

40 x 25 Cans

40 Favourite Places

We’re all wanderers at heart. Our wanderlust allows us to experience international destinations, connect with other cultures, try different cuisines, and meet new people. Recently, we surveyed the staff at PWL to find out their favourite places around the globe. Here’s what they came up with. These places represent parts of the world where we’ve been, hope to return to, and aspire to go.

40 Favourite Places

40 Ideas for Rewilding our Cities

At PWL Partnership, we like to wrap up our busy weeks with a Friday afternoon social. Known affectionately as Snack, we use these gatherings as opportunities to crowd source ideas about different subjects. In late April, with spring in full bloom, we got onto the topic of nature in the urban context. Using only pens and napkins, here are 40 ideas for rewilding our cities.

#PWL40

40 Ideas for Rewilding our Cities

40 Gifts To Those In Need

Each year around the holidays, PWL Partnership donates backpacks filled with personal care items to the Covenant House. This year, in honour of our 40th anniversary, we’ve expanded the program to include donations of toys and books to Canuck Place and Ronald McDonald House, and bags filled with clothing and personal care items to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre. It’s our way of giving back to community and supporting those in need over the holidays. Happy holidays from all of us at PWL Partnership.

40 Gifts To Those In Need

40 Ways To Give

Community is at the backbone of everything we do. PWL Partnership is committed to helping the less fortunate and the change makers in our community who are working to make a difference. In honour of our 40th anniversary, we have identified 40 community groups to support to this year. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to watch these stories unfold.

40 Ways To Give

40 Cookies

There were more than 40 kinds of cookies at the 2nd annual PWL Partnership Cookie Swap. Our highly creative and talented team took the challenge and baked a variety of delicious gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and nut-free cookies, as well as some traditional Christmas cookies. We also used this as the perfect opportunity to hold our Secret Santa and lots of fun was had. We even had some lil PWL'ers join in the fun! At the end of the afternoon, we left happy, full of sugar and smiles, and ready to start the holidays.

40 Cookies

40 Great Reads

At PWL, we have an extensive library for our team to explore and reference. We believe it is import to continue our education by exploring new theories, methods, and work in the industry. See the selection of books that resonate with us.

Anatomy of a Park
Bee Time
Carrot City
Cities for People
City Comforts
City
Constructing Landscape
Design for Play

Designed Landscape
Ecological Urbanism
Granville Island
Great City Parks
Happy City
Interior Gardens
Landscape Architecture in Germany
Landscape as Urbanism

Landscape as Graphics
Landscape Urbanism Reader
Landscapers
Livable Cities Observed
Livable Streets
Living Systems
What a City is For
Natural Learning

Northwest Native Plans
On Trails
Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast
River Space Design
Site Planning and Design for the Elderly
Skinny Streets and Green Neighbourhoods
The City Square
Theory in Landscape Architecture

Time-Saver Standards
Townscape
Trees in Canada
Trees of Vancouver
Universal Principles of Design
Up by Roots
Urban Landscape Architecture
Vancouver A Visual History

40 Great Reads

40 Bottles of Craft Beer on the Wall

Community is an important part of our work here at PWL. That’s why, on Friday afternoons, we stop work an hour early and connect over some food and drink. Lately, we’ve been trying out some of the fantastic craft beers that this region has to offer. This is part of our commitment to support sustainable food and beverage suppliers in the Lower Mainland. Check back next week to see which local craft beers we have on our wall.

40 Bottles of Craft Beer on the Wall

40 Views from Our Office

Located in beautiful Coal Harbour, we have fantastic views from our office windows. Be it a winter storm, blue skies of summer, or the surreal colors of a magic hour sky, we are constantly in awe of our beautiful location.

40 Views from Our Office

40 Fun Neighbourhood Interventions

If you could change any one thing about your neighbourhood what would it be? Recently, we asked this very question to the team here at PWL in our latest napkin sketch exercise. Check out a few of the innovative and outlandish ideas we came up with! Who wouldn’t love a pretzel garden in their neighbourhood?

#PWL40

40 Fun Neighbourhood Interventions

40 Years, 40 Projects

Over the last 40 years, we have contributed to many landscape, park and public realm projects. Here are 40 projects, one from each year PWL has been in business.

40 Years, 40 Projects

40 Sketches

Much of our work here at PWL Partnership begins with an idea sketched on paper. Whether it’s in a well-loved notebook or on the back of a napkin, a good sketch can say so much. Here are 40 sketches by our team that showcase the wide variety of drawing styles and techniques.

#PWL40

40 Sketches

40 Walks in the Park

Our fantastic location and proximity to Coal Harbour provides PWL a great location for daytime breaks. Picnic lunches in Harbour Green Park, mid-day strolls along the sea wall and bike rides to Stanley Park are just some of the activities we enjoy. Regardless of the season, we are treated with great views of the North Shore mountains, sea plane arrivals, and breezes off the inlet.

40 Walks in the Park

40 Favourite Plants

In Eva Selhub and Alan Logan’s book “Your Brain On Nature,” they argue that natural environments are more likely to promote positive emotions, and viewing and walking in nature can yield heightened physical and mental energy. These are certainly ideas that we bring with us to our landscape architecture practice. With this in mind, we asked the PWL team to show us their 40 favourite plants. Here’s what they came up with.

40 Favourite Plants

40 Snack Socials

Community is an important part of our work here at PWL. That’s why, on Friday afternoons, we stop work an hour early and connect over food and drink in an event we call “Snack”. Often we have a themed "Snack" and activities to celebrate seasonal holidays, birthdays or individuals’ life milestones. Families often join in on the fun, creating a great ending for the work week.

40 Snack Socials

40 Awesomeness Awards

It’s important to recognize and appreciate our team for everything they do. Whether it’s for working hard or for being fun to work with, our 40 Awesomeness Awards are about recognizing strengths in our colleagues. Each week we select three people to be appreciated for awesomeness, a light-hearted way to remind us about the amazing people we have here at PWL Partnership.

#PWL40

40 Awesomeness Awards

40 Words for the Next 40 Years

At PWL we believe in learning from the past 40 years and envisioning a future for the next 40 years. That is why we have assembled 40 words that we believe will reflect PWL’s mind-set moving forward for the next 40 years.

40 Words for the Next 40 Years

40 Haikus

Five. Seven. Five. Those are traditionally the number of syllables used in each line of a haiku, a Japanese verse in three lines that usually avoids the use of metaphors of similes. Recently, we challenged the team at PWL Partnership to give us their best haikus. Here’s what they came up with. Which is your favourite?

40 Haikus

40 Awards

Over the last 40 years, our contribution to projects has been acknowledged with many Industry and community awards presented to PWL. View a selection of the numerous awards we have received within the last 40 years.

40 Awards

40 Flower Bombs

We’ve all seen the headlines over the past couple years about North America’s bees in crisis, so we decided to something about it. We purchased 40 wildflower seed packages to plant in random spots (aka flower bombs) around the city. This is just one of the ways we’re helping the bees of Vancouver do their thing.

#PWL40

40 Flower Bombs

Coal Harbour Community Centre

Vancouver, BC
1996

Working in concert with Henriquez Partners Architects, PWL Partnership developed the conceptual design and detailed landscape design for the Coal Harbour Community Park and Centre. The circle engenders a feeling of neighbourhood, creating a focal point for the surrounding residential community and future school. The Coal Harbour Community Park is now the heart of this new neighbourhood, and a point on Vancouver's waterfront that offers a memorable prospect over the harbour and a refuge from the city.

Coal Harbour Community Centre

Working in concert with Henriquez Partners Architects, PWL Partnership developed the conceptual design and detailed landscape design for the Coal Harbour Community Park and Centre.

40 Memories

Over the last 40 years of business, we have created many wonderful memories. The people of PWL make this office a fantastic place to come each day. Together with colleagues, clients and the public, we spend our days designing meaningful places that offer engaging experiences. At PWL, we thrive on creating fantastic landscapes, lasting friendships, and turning daily moments into lifelong memories.

40 Memories

40 Favourite Chinese Food Dishes

Food is a big part of Chinese culture. Our team in Shanghai passionately enjoys sharing meals with staff, family and friends on a regular basis. These dishes are favourites of ours; try them at your local restaurant, or even better, come and try them with us in Shanghai!

40 Favourite Chinese Food Dishes

40 Dogs in the City

At PWL we love our dogs! If you stop by our office, our canine resident, Roxy will often greet you with a wet nose and wagging tail. Below are 40 images of "Dogs in the City" enjoying time outside and meaningful moments with their human friends. We are honoured to design great outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed by both people and their furry friends.

40 Dogs in the City

40 Chinese Landscapes

Landscape is an integral part of Chinese culture. China’s vast geography and ancient civilization gave rise to an endless variety of landscape types, both natural and cultural. This selection of images by PWL’s Shanghai team showcases this geographic diversity from remote wilderness and ancient cultural landscapes to the agrarian “homeland" and the modern urban cityscape.

40 Chinese Landscapes

40 Views in Our Office

At PWL we love our dogs! If you stop by our office, our canine resident, Roxy will often greet you with a wet nose and wagging tail. Below are 40 images of "Dogs in the City" enjoying time outside and meaningful moments with their human friends. We are honoured to design great outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed by both people and their furry friends.

40 Views in Our Office

Vancouver School Board

Vancouver, British Columbia
1998

The Vancouver School Board development covers a full city block of retail, commercial, residential, and office space at the corner of Broadway and Fir. PWL integrated the streetscape, pedestrian and transit node of the periphery with a generous park space in front of the School Board Building. The Mews between the buildings provides refuge for residents, employees, and those enjoying outdoor dining. Through unique detailing,
the metaphor of and youth and learning are represented by both statues of cavorting children and giant sculptured concrete books.

Vancouver School Board

The Vancouver School Board development covers a full city block of retail, commercial, residential, and office space at the corner of Broadway and Fir. PWL integrated the streetscape, pedestrian and transit node of the periphery with a generous park space in front of the School Board Building.

Bentall V

Vancouver, British Columbia
2002

This public plaza is part of a commercial high-rise development that includes the roof garden on 5th floor of the YWCA, providing much needed public space in the centre of the City, and allowing for the free flow of people through the site. The site furnishings have been temporarily removed to accommodate the second ‘vertical phase' of the tower construction. However, when the plaza is restored, it will include an expanded water feature and a new piece of public art.

Bentall V

This public plaza is part of a commercial high-rise development that includes the roof garden on 5th floor of the YWCA, providing much needed public space in the centre of the City, and allowing for the free flow of people through the site.

Harbour Green Park II

Vancouver, BC
2002

Harbour Green Park II is a signature waterfront park that present both the natural and many-made history of the city of Vancouver. As part of the Masterplanning process for the Coast Harbour neighbourhood, PWL was responsible for the overall park design as well the implementation of Harbour Green Park Phase II. The illustrative elements range from a granite and concrete escarpment wall to mark the natural grade change between downtown core and English Bay, and a series of earth mounts which represent the ocean and the edge of the harbour prior to development. Amenities include a parterre, plaza, café, and a recreational spray pool, all connected by a multi-purpose seawall.

Harbour Green Park II

Harbour Green Park II is a signature waterfront park that present both the natural and many-made history of the city of Vancouver.

George Wainborn Park

Vancouver, British Columbia
1996-2004

This prominent waterfront park honours the ideals and accomplishments of a long time Park Board Commissioner; and provides a prime example of how polluted industrial sites can be transformed into important new public spaces. George Wainborn Park is a key element in the community plan for one of the most densely populated communities in North America. Features include a plaza with views over False Creek, the dramatic water feature, and a distinctive play area featuring large boulders and sculpted landforms.

George Wainborn Park

This prominent waterfront park honours the ideals and accomplishments of a long time Park Board Commissioner; and provides a prime example of how polluted industrial sites can be transformed into important new public spaces

Coal Harbour

Vancouver, British Columbia
1989-2001

PWL Partnership contributed to each stage of the redevelopment of CP Rail yards and the surrounding industrial lands, a process that has produced a dramatic new waterfront community with a series of parks and a seawall connecting the area to both Stanley Park and the downtown core. This work included the Official Development Plan, the Avila and Bauhinia Residential Towers, the Coal Harbour Community Park, and Harbour Green Park - Phase 2.

Coal Harbour

PWL Partnership contributed to each stage of the redevelopment of CP Rail yards and the surrounding industrial lands.

Sapperton Landing Park

New Westminster, British Columbia
2001

Sapperton Landing is a 6.5-acre naturalized open space along the banks of the Fraser River in New Westminster. The theme of the park is to create a series of naturalized meadows, emerging forests and interpretive opportunities, which illustrate the natural regeneration of river marsh, riparian and upland habitat. The major achievement of the park was that the open space was created by filling into the river and rehabilitating the existing waters edge. Park visitors will be able to stop at the Coal House pier after they have bought fresh salmon from the newly rehabilitated fisherman’s docks. The meadows and rustic wood lookouts, which span the length of the park, are great places to stroll, relax and watch nature take hold and once again bring wildlife and native plants to this stretch of the Fraser River.

Sapperton Landing Park

Sapperton Landing is a 6.5-acre naturalized open space along the banks of the Fraser River in New Westminster.

David Lam Park Extension

Vancouver, BC
1996-2000

David Lam Park is located in the Concord Pacific Beach Neighbourhood and provides one of the area's major public open spaces. The park was constructed over three phases with each phase providing amenities for a different form of activity. Phase II provides spaces for passive recreation and reflection, with
plantings of Chinese origin used to pay homage to the park's namesake, David Lam, form Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

David Lam Park Extension

David Lam Park is located in the Concord Pacific Beach Neighbourhood and provides one of the area's major public open spaces.

Creekside Park

Vancouver, British Columbia
1989-Present

PWL has been working with the Vancouver Parks Board, Science World and Concord Pacific on Creekside Park and Creekside Park Extension since 1989. The original Creekside Park was developed after Expo 86 to provide park space at the end of False Creek for new residents. The Creekside Park Extension Project went through a public workshop process with residents and park users to determine a program and park concept. The park will be built as part of the remaining lands become developed in Northeast False Creek.

Creekside Park

PWL has been working with the Vancouver Parks Board, Science World and Concord Pacific on Creekside Park and Creekside Park Extension since 1989.

Sustainable Places

Sustainability is at the heart of our work. We are committed to ecologically responsible design and construction methods, and actively seek work that allows us to incorporate rainwater management techniques, appropriate construction materials, and habitat and biodiversity enhancement strategies. Our LEED-certified professionals work on celebrated green building projects across the country. But we’re also trying to do more than simply minimize our environmental impact; with each shoreline habitat restoration, living roof design, and sustainable community plan, we restore and regenerate ecological systems. Reconnecting people with natural processes opens up a world of sustainable, innovative, and joyful experiences.

Civic & Culture

Houses make a town, but citizensmake a city.- Jean-Jaques Rousseau

Public places – places of and for people – are essential parts of the community landscape. They’re where we learn, celebrate culture, and maintain civic activities. PWL understands that such places are both symbolic and highly used, providing a sense of community and identity important to all.

Our many years designing elementary and secondary school grounds have evolved to include college and university campuses, all inspiring and functional learning landscapes. Our richly textured landscapes support the activities of many cultural sites, from community centres and sports complexes to museums and cultural centres. In all this work, we never forget who we are designing for: the people.

Commercial & Mixed Use

First life, then spaces, then buildings - the other way around never works.
-Jan Gehl

We know that first impressions are important. That’s why we carefully consider the elements of our corporate campus, office plaza, and commercial landscape designs. These designs concentrate on identity and rich detail but never neglect usability and durability. Our clients appreciate our cost-effective and elegant solutions for the places that are often become the faces of the companies behind them.

Parks & Plazas

Perhaps a garden is best considered as a precise point of connection between a human and the earth.
-Robert Thayer

From the civic plaza animated with public events, to the neighbourhood park where friends meet and children play, parks help make our communities loved and livable. PWL has decades of park design experience, notably our work on waterfront parks. Our two decades of involvement with Vancouver’s Coal Harbour waterfront makes clear our commitment to understanding local and regional character, creating fun and evolving spaces, and supporting community activities.

Planning & Urban Design

Meaning accrues over time.
- Marc Treib

What makes built, open, public and private places work together seamlessly? We believe it’s the planning and common vision that comes before a single stone is laid. PWL’s site planning work with municipalities, institutions, and developers involves an integrated approach with the client and project team to ensure success.

We find that a multi-disciplinary approach that includes the ecological, historical, and cultural aspects of the landscape produces the most robust and meaningful designs. As well as providing guidelines for future development, our work has grown to include streetscapes, greenways, and way-finding signage: all parts of well-planned and thoughtfully designed communities.

Residential

We must not build housing, we must build communities.
- Mike Burton

We proudly work with clients across the Lower Mainland on low rise, high rise, and mixed-use residential developments. Our focus on finely detailed design treatments and clever use of common materials result in highly usable landscapes that are sensory experiences at both the small and large scale. Whether for privacy, recreation, children’s play, or quiet garden enjoyment, our residential landscapes create a sense of identity for these developments and allow the residences to truly become homes.

Streetscapes & Greenways

The people of cities understand the symbolic, ceremonial, social and political roles of streets, not just those of movement and access.
- Allan B. Jacobs, Great Streets

Much of public life occurs in the street. In addition to their business, social, and recreational uses, streets play an important role in sustainable city planning by contributing to the urban forest, accommodating alternative transportation options, and providing for rainwater infiltration. At PWL we endeavor to create distinct streetscapes that capture and create a street character that is unique to the location – from the vibrant neon lined Granville Street in the heart of Vancouver’s downtown to the sustainable streets of Southeast False Creek.

We also believe in the need for safe and convenient infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists. The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create sustainable cities has brought this infrastructure to the forefront of many municipal and regional plans. Our extensive work on urban trails has improved the livability of streets and neighbourhoods throughout Metro Vancouver, and further developed our expertise in trail design, urban planning, public consultation, and construction.

Waterfronts

Cities have a tremendous, and fleeting, opportunity to reclaim their waterfronts.
- William H. Whyte

People naturally gravitate to waterfronts. Around the world, urban waterfronts are being transformed from industrial brownfields to vibrant, active people places. PWL’s expanding experience in the planning and detail design of urban waterfronts has helped to reknit and reconnect the urban fabric of cities to their waterfront in Vancouver, the lower mainland and abroad. Because waterfront sites often have a rich industrial heritage, our innovative designs impart a sense of the unique history and culture of each site -- celebrating the past while looking toward the future.

We’ve created vibrant and inspiring spaces that capture the users’ imagination, allowing people to more closely and creatively connect with their waterfronts. In all our waterfront work, we strive to preserve and enhance important ecological functions and harmonize human use with natural systems.

Community Placemaking

What makes a place unique?

The small-scale spaces of a city are important to the quality of every day life. You should be able to relax—talk, sit, listen—in the intimate spaces of a city. There should be opportunities for people to connect, and for community to flourish. Once established, these spaces have a tendency to perpetuate themselves, and to add life and vitality to the city.

PWL Partnership has a way of getting extensively involved in the creation of community placemaking projects… Courtyards, parklets, wharves, public squares, you name it. In addition to providing design services, members of our team often volunteer their time to see these projects to completion. We like to really engage and connect with stakeholders on an intimate level, and these community placemaking projects allow us to do that.

This is just one of the ways we’re incredibly proud of our work at PWL Partnership.